Seat support system

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is the U.S. national stage of PCT/US2015/046876 (“the '876 application”), filed on Aug. 26, 2015, which application is related to and claims priority benefit from U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/041,761 (“the '761 application”), filed on Aug. 26, 2014, entitled ACTIVE SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR AN AIRCRAFT SEAT BACK AND BOTTOM; from U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/041,757 (“the '757 application”), filed on Aug. 26, 2014, entitled ARTICULATED SEAT BACK AND BOTTOM; and from U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/041,759 (“the '759 application”), filed on Aug. 26, 2014, entitled ACTIVE SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR THE AIRCRAFT SEAT BACK AND BOTTOM. The '876 application, the '761 application, and the '757 application, and the '759 application are hereby incorporated in their entireties by this reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The field of the invention relates ergonomic passenger seats for aircraft or the like.

BACKGROUND

Many passenger seats such as those on passenger aircraft, buses, trains, and the like account for significant weight of the vehicle but must meet other requirements related to passenger comfort, safety, and convenience. For example, seat structural assemblies are designed to meet specific loading conditions (e.g., crash conditions), and seats often include safety and convenience features (which may be moveable or deployable) including, for example, seat belts, arm rests, tray tables, cocktail tables, and the like. The structural design of conventional seats along with the design of the comfort and convenience features may include inefficiencies that lead to extra undesirable weight.

In certain situations, it may be desirable to design seats and related subcomponents to maximize structural efficiency with load paths configured to transfer load from the passenger through the seat and into the structure of the aircraft. Efficient structural design facilitates lighter designs using less material.

SUMMARY

The terms “invention,” “the invention,” “this invention” and “the present invention” used in this patent are intended to refer broadly to all of the subject matter of this patent and the patent claims below. Statements containing these terms should be understood not to limit the subject matter described herein or to limit the meaning or scope of the patent claims below. Embodiments of the invention covered by this patent are defined by the claims below, not this summary. This summary is a high-level overview of various aspects of the invention and introduces some of the concepts that are further described in the Detailed Description section below. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used in isolation to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter. The subject matter should be understood by reference to appropriate portions of the entire specification of this patent, any or all drawings and each claim.

According to certain embodiments of the present invention, a passenger seat comprises: a seat bottom assembly with a forward edge and a rear edge; and a seat back assembly extending up from the rear edge of the seat bottom assembly, wherein: the seat back assembly comprises a frame, a plurality of panels within a perimeter of the frame, and at least one attachment member configured to attach the plurality of panels to the frame; and the seat bottom assembly comprises a frame and a plurality of panels within a perimeter of the frame.

In some embodiments, the at least one attachment member comprises an elastic material configured to allow movement of at least one panel of the seat back assembly due to interaction with a passenger seated in the passenger seat.

The at least one attachment member, in certain embodiments, comprises a cross member that extends across a full width of one of the plurality of panels of the seat back assembly.

In some embodiments, the plurality of panels of the seat back assembly comprises four distinct panels.

The four distinct panels, in certain embodiments, are stacked in a vertical direction such that each of the four distinct panels extends from an inner edge on a first side of the perimeter of the frame of the seat back assembly to a second side of the perimeter of the frame of the seat back assembly.

In certain embodiments, each of the four distinct panels is configured to move relative to the frame of the seat back assembly independent of the other three panels.

The seat back assembly, in some embodiments, comprises a rear support structure.

In some embodiments, the rear support structure comprises an “I” shape. In certain embodiments, the rear support structure comprises a vertical rear support member that extends from an approximate center of an uppermost panel to an approximate center of a lowermost panel. The rear support structure, in some embodiments, comprises at least one support pad attached to the vertical rear support member and to one of the plurality of panels of the seat back assembly.

The seat bottom assembly, in some embodiments, comprises a main panel, a forward left leg panel, and a forward right leg panel. In certain embodiments, an underside of the main panel comprises four support pads. In some embodiments, each leg panel comprises a support pad that extends a majority of a width of each leg panel.

According to certain embodiments of the present invention, a passenger seat comprises: a seat bottom assembly comprising a frame, a main panel adjacent to a rear edge of the seat bottom assembly, and two forward leg panel disposed adjacent to a forward edge of the seat bottom assembly; and a seat back assembly extending up from the rear edge of the seat bottom assembly, wherein: the seat back assembly comprises a frame, a plurality of vertically stacked panels within a perimeter of the frame, and at least two attachment members for each panel of the seat back assembly where each attachment member is configured to attach the respective panel to the frame.

In some embodiments, each of the attachment members comprises an elastic material configured to allow movement of at least one panel of the seat back assembly due to interaction with a passenger seated in the passenger seat.

Each of the plurality of vertically stacked panels, in some embodiments, is configured to move relative to the frame of the seat back assembly independent of the other panels.

In certain embodiments, the seat back assembly comprises a rear support structure. The rear support structure, in some embodiments, comprises an “I” shape. The rear support structure, in certain embodiments, comprises a vertical rear support member that extends from an approximate center of an uppermost panel to an approximate center of a lowermost panel.

In some embodiments, the rear support structure comprises at least one support pad attached to the vertical rear support member and to one of the plurality of vertically stacked panels.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is a front view of a passenger seat according to certain embodiments of the present invention.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is an exploded perspective view of the passenger seat of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is a side view of portions of a passenger spine.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> is a perspective view of a seat back assembly of the passenger seat of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> is a front view of a seat back assembly of the passenger seat of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> is a side view of a seat back assembly of the passenger seat of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> is a perspective view of a seat bottom assembly of the passenger seat of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref> is a perspective view of a seat bottom assembly of the passenger seat of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref> is a side view of a seat bottom assembly of the passenger seat of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 10A and 10B</figref> are perspective views of a seat back assembly of the passenger seat of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 10C and 10D</figref> are perspective views of a seat bottom assembly of the passenger seat of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 11A, 11B, 11C, and 11D</figref> are side views of various passenger postures according to certain embodiments of the present invention.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 12A and 12B</figref> are rear views of a seat back assemblies according to certain embodiments of the present invention.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 13</figref> is a perspective view of the passenger seat of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 14</figref> is a perspective view of the passenger seat of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 15</figref> is a perspective view of a passenger seat according to certain embodiments of the present invention.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 16</figref> is a perspective view of the passenger seat of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 15</figref>.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 17</figref> is a perspective view of a passenger seat according to certain embodiments of the present invention.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 18A and 18B</figref> are perspective views of the passenger seat of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 17</figref>.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 19</figref> is a front view of a passenger seat according to certain embodiments of the present invention.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 20</figref> is a perspective view of the passenger seat of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 19</figref>.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 21A</figref> is a perspective view of a passenger seat according to certain embodiments of the present invention.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 21B</figref> is a perspective view of the passenger seat of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 21A</figref>.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 22</figref> is a perspective view of the passenger seat of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 21A</figref>.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 23</figref> is a top view of a passenger seat according to certain embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject matter of embodiments of the present invention is described here with specificity to meet statutory requirements, but this description is not necessarily intended to limit the scope of the claims. The claimed subject matter may be embodied in other ways, may include different elements or steps, and may be used in conjunction with other existing or future technologies. This description should not be interpreted as implying any particular order or arrangement among or between various steps or elements except when the order of individual steps or arrangement of elements is explicitly described.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1-23</figref> illustrate embodiments of passenger seats <b>100</b>. In these embodiments, the passenger seat <b>100</b> may include a seat back and a seat bottom. For example, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1 and 2</figref>, the seat <b>100</b> may include a seat back assembly <b>101</b> and a seat bottom assembly <b>201</b>. The seat back assembly <b>101</b> may include a frame with a perimeter and a plurality of distinct panels within the perimeter of the frame. For example, the seat back assembly <b>101</b> may include a frame <b>103</b>, a first panel <b>104</b>, a second panel <b>105</b>, a third panel <b>106</b>, and a fourth panel <b>107</b>. Although <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1 and 2</figref> show four panels stacked in a vertical direction, the seat back assembly <b>101</b> may include any number of panels arranged in any orientation relative to one another (i.e., stacked vertically, stacked horizontally, checkerboard pattern, or any other suitable arrangement). The frame <b>103</b> may include a cross member <b>109</b>, which, in some embodiments, is located between the second panel <b>105</b> and the third panel <b>106</b>. As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>, the seat bottom assembly <b>201</b> may include a frame <b>203</b>, a main panel <b>204</b> (adjacent to a rear edge of the seat bottom assembly <b>201</b>), and two forward leg panels <b>205</b> and <b>206</b> (adjacent to a forward edge of the seat bottom assembly <b>201</b>). In some embodiments, multiple seats <b>100</b> are formed together as a single unit to reduce the total number of load paths and to efficiently transfer load from the seats to the aircraft structure.

As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>, in some embodiments, the seat back assembly <b>101</b> may include an attachment member <b>161</b> for securing the panels (e.g., one or more of first panel <b>104</b>, second panel <b>105</b>, third panel <b>106</b>, and fourth panel <b>107</b>) to the frame <b>103</b>. Similarly, the seat bottom assembly <b>201</b> may include an attachment member <b>261</b> for attaching the panels (e.g., one or more of main panel <b>204</b> and forward leg panels <b>205</b> and <b>206</b>) to frame <b>203</b>. Although attachment members <b>161</b> and <b>261</b> are each shown as single grid-like components in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>, each attachment member may comprise a plurality of components. For example, each of the cross members (<b>162</b>-<b>165</b>, <b>262</b>) extending across the seat behind each of the panels of the seat back assembly <b>101</b> (or under one or more of the panels of the seat bottom assembly <b>201</b>) may each be a separate component. In particular, first cross member <b>162</b> (disposed behind panel <b>104</b>), second cross member <b>163</b> (disposed behind panel <b>105</b>), third cross member <b>164</b> (disposed behind panel <b>106</b>), and fourth cross member <b>165</b> (disposed behind panel <b>107</b>) may each be separate from one another and from other portions of attachment member <b>161</b>. In some embodiments, the attachment members <b>161</b> and <b>261</b> comprise flexible material such that the panels of the seat back assembly <b>101</b> and/or the seat bottom assembly <b>201</b> may move relative to one another and relative to the respective frame member. As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>, the cross members <b>162</b>-<b>165</b> extend across the full width of the panels <b>104</b>-<b>107</b> but are substantially smaller in the vertical or height direction compared to the panels <b>104</b>-<b>107</b>. The panels of the seat back assembly <b>101</b> and/or the seat bottom assembly <b>201</b> may include optional connector plates (shown as <b>121</b> and <b>122</b> in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>) to constrain adjacent panels relative to one another. In some embodiments, the seat <b>100</b> does not include any optional connector plates.

The seat <b>100</b> is designed to accommodate a passenger <b>1</b> based on human factors engineering for wide ranges of passenger sizes (e.g., 5^thpercentile female to 95^thpercentile male). In particular, the seat <b>100</b> is configured to support four sections of a typical passenger <b>1</b>'s spine including the cervical spine <b>2</b>, the thoracic spine <b>3</b>, the lumbar spine <b>4</b>, and the sacrum <b>5</b> or tailbone <b>5</b> (see <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>).

In some embodiments, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>, the seat back assembly <b>101</b> may include a rear support structure. The rear support structure may have an “H” or “I” shape. In some embodiments, the rear support structure includes rear support members <b>108</b>, <b>110</b>, and <b>111</b> (the rear support structure may be a single component, as shown, or may be three or more separate components). The lower rear support member <b>110</b> extends between each side of the frame <b>103</b>. At approximately the center of lower rear support member <b>110</b> is an attachment to a lower end of vertical rear support member <b>108</b>. The upper end of the vertical rear support member <b>108</b> attaches to an approximate center of upper rear support member <b>111</b>. The rear support members <b>108</b>, <b>110</b>, and <b>111</b> may function provide additional rigidity to the frame <b>103</b> and, in some embodiments, also provide mounting provisions for support pads <b>141</b>, <b>142</b>, <b>143</b>, and <b>144</b>.

The support pads <b>141</b>, <b>142</b>, <b>143</b>, and <b>144</b> may each be a spring or may any other configuration (e.g., a box or cylinder shape) spanning between the respective panel and the vertical rear support member <b>108</b>. The support pads <b>141</b>, <b>142</b>, <b>143</b>, and <b>144</b> may comprise flexible material. In some embodiments, the support pads <b>141</b>, <b>142</b>, <b>143</b>, <b>144</b> may attach directly to a rear side of the respective panel (<b>104</b>-<b>107</b>). In embodiments that include the attachment member <b>161</b>, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12A</figref>, the support pads <b>141</b>-<b>144</b> may attach to the respective cross members <b>162</b>-<b>165</b> (i.e., not directly to the respective panels <b>104</b>-<b>107</b>). As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 4 and 5</figref>, in some embodiments that do not include the attachment member <b>161</b>, each panel (<b>104</b>-<b>107</b>) may attach to side attachment portions <b>131</b>-<b>138</b> for connecting the panel to the frame <b>103</b>. For example, panel <b>104</b> may include attachment to support pad <b>141</b> and side attachment portions <b>131</b> and <b>132</b>, panel <b>105</b> may include attachment to support pad <b>142</b> and side attachment portions <b>133</b> and <b>134</b>, panel <b>106</b> may include attachment to support pad <b>143</b> and side attachment portions <b>135</b> and <b>136</b>, and panel <b>107</b> may include attachment to support pad <b>144</b> and side attachment portions <b>137</b> and <b>138</b>. The side attachment portions <b>131</b>-<b>138</b> may attach to a rear side of the respective panel (<b>104</b>-<b>107</b>) near an adjacent edge of the panel or may extend near the respective support pad (<b>141</b>-<b>144</b>). The side attachment portions <b>131</b>-<b>138</b> may comprise flexible or elastic material to ensure the panels are capable of moving or pivoting with respect to the frame <b>103</b>.

As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref>, the seat back assembly <b>101</b> may adapt to the shape and position of a passenger <b>1</b>. For example, for some passengers <b>1</b>, upper portion of the frame <b>103</b> (which may include a padded area and headrest <b>1301</b> as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 13</figref>) conforms to the shape and position of the passenger's cervical spine <b>2</b>. The first and second panels <b>104</b> and <b>105</b> may adapt to the thoracic spine <b>3</b> (these panels may span areas supporting the cervical spine <b>2</b> and/or the lumbar spine <b>4</b>). As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref>, panel <b>106</b> may be disposed adjacent to a passenger's lumbar spine <b>4</b> (and may span areas supporting the thoracic spine <b>3</b> and/or the sacrum <b>5</b>). Panel <b>107</b> may be disposed adjacent to a passenger's sacrum <b>5</b> (and may span areas supporting the lumbar spine <b>4</b>).

In some embodiments, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref>, the seat bottom assembly <b>201</b> may include a longitudinal support member <b>207</b>, a rear support member <b>208</b>, and a front support member <b>209</b>. The front and rear support members <b>209</b>, <b>208</b> extend between each side of the frame <b>203</b>. At approximately the center of the rear side of the frame <b>203</b> is an attachment to a rear end of the longitudinal support member <b>207</b> and at approximately the center of the front side of the frame <b>203</b> is an attachment to a front end of the longitudinal support member <b>207</b>. The longitudinal support member <b>207</b>, the rear support member <b>208</b>, and a front support member <b>209</b> may function provide additional rigidity to the frame <b>203</b> and, in some embodiments, also provides mounting provisions for support pads <b>241</b>, <b>242</b>, <b>243</b>, <b>244</b>, and <b>245</b>.

The support pads <b>241</b>-<b>245</b> may each be a spring or may any other configuration (e.g., a box or cylinder shape) spanning between the respective panel and the support member. The support pads <b>241</b>, <b>242</b>, <b>243</b>, <b>244</b>, and <b>245</b> may comprise flexible material. In some embodiments, the support pads <b>241</b>, <b>242</b>, <b>243</b>, <b>244</b>, and <b>245</b> may attach directly to a rear side of the respective panel (<b>204</b>-<b>206</b>). As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref>, in some embodiments, each panel (<b>204</b>-<b>206</b>) may include multiple attachment or support portions for connecting the panel to the frame <b>203</b>. For example, panel <b>204</b> may include attachment to support pads <b>241</b>, <b>242</b>, <b>243</b>, and <b>244</b>; panel <b>205</b> may include attachment to support pad <b>245</b> and bracket <b>251</b>; and panel <b>206</b> may include attachment to support pad <b>246</b> and bracket <b>252</b>. The support pads <b>245</b> and <b>246</b> for the front leg panels <b>205</b> and <b>206</b>, respectively, span a majority of the width of each leg panel and, in some cases, nearly the full width of the panels (approximately 90% of the width of the panels).

As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref>, the support pads <b>241</b> and <b>242</b> may attach to the rear support member <b>208</b>. Similarly, the support pads <b>243</b> and <b>244</b> may attach to the longitudinal support member <b>207</b>. Support pads <b>245</b> and <b>246</b> may attach to the front support member <b>209</b>. The support pads <b>241</b>-<b>246</b> may comprise flexible or elastic material such that the support pads are capable of compressing (in one or more directions) to allow the panels <b>204</b>-<b>206</b> to move or pivot with respect to the frame <b>203</b>. For example, panel <b>204</b> may move down under the weight of passenger <b>1</b> where support pads <b>241</b>-<b>244</b> all compress an approximately equal magnitude. If the passenger <b>1</b> leans back and/or centers her weight closer to a rear side of the panel <b>204</b>, support pad <b>245</b> may compress more than the other support pads. In addition, for such a condition, support pad <b>246</b> may maintain a constant shape/size, may compress (less than support pad <b>245</b>), or may stretch/expand. Simultaneously, the panel <b>204</b> may pivot about support pads <b>243</b> and <b>244</b> where a rear portion of each of the support pads <b>243</b> and <b>244</b> compresses while a forward portion of the support pads <b>243</b> and <b>244</b> either stretches/expands or compresses with a reduced magnitude (compared to the rear portions). As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref>, the seat bottom assembly <b>201</b> may adapt to the shape and position of a passenger <b>1</b>.

The brackets <b>251</b> and <b>252</b> (see <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 7 and 8</figref>) are configured to limit the maximum rotation of the two forward leg panels <b>205</b> and <b>206</b> about a lateral axis (i.e., an axis parallel to the longitudinal direction of front support member <b>209</b>). For example, the frame <b>203</b> may include slotted holes for interfacing with brackets <b>251</b> and <b>252</b> such that the slots allow the brackets <b>251</b> and <b>252</b> to move within predetermined ranges in the forward/aft direction (i.e., parallel to the longitudinal direction of longitudinal support member <b>207</b>).

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 10A-10D</figref> show examples of different positions of the various panels of the seat back assembly <b>101</b> and the seat bottom assembly <b>201</b>. For example, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10A</figref> shows panel <b>104</b> in a first position <b>104</b><i>a</i>, panel <b>105</b> in a first position <b>105</b><i>a</i>, panel <b>106</b> in a first position <b>106</b><i>a</i>, and panel <b>107</b> in a first position <b>107</b><i>a</i>. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10B</figref> shows a second possible position for each panel including panel <b>104</b> in a second position <b>104</b><i>b</i>, panel <b>105</b> in a second position <b>105</b><i>b</i>, panel <b>106</b> in a second position <b>106</b><i>b</i>, and panel <b>107</b> in a second position <b>107</b><i>b</i>. One example of a position for a passenger <b>1</b> that results in panel positions shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10A</figref> is shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11B</figref>. One example of a position for a passenger <b>1</b> that results in panel positions shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10B</figref> is shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11C</figref>.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10C</figref> shows panel <b>204</b> in a first position <b>204</b><i>a</i>, panel <b>205</b> in a first position <b>205</b><i>a</i>, and panel <b>206</b> in a first position <b>206</b><i>a</i>. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10D</figref> shows a second possible position for each panel including panel <b>204</b> in a second position <b>204</b><i>b</i>, panel <b>205</b> in a second position <b>205</b><i>b</i>, and panel <b>206</b> in a second position <b>206</b><i>b</i>. One example of a position for a passenger <b>1</b> that results in panel positions shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10C</figref> is shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11B</figref>. One example of a position for a passenger <b>1</b> that results in panel positions shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10D</figref> is shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11C</figref>.

In some embodiments, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12B</figref>, the seat back assembly <b>101</b> may include a structure that does not include the rear support structure (i.e., rear support members <b>108</b>, <b>110</b>, and <b>111</b>). As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12B</figref>, the seat back assembly <b>101</b> may include a lateral structural member for each panel. For example, panel <b>104</b> is supported by lateral structural member <b>171</b>, panel <b>105</b> is supported by lateral structural member <b>172</b>, panel <b>106</b> is supported by lateral structural member <b>173</b>, and panel <b>107</b> is supported by lateral structural member <b>174</b>. Each of the lateral structural members includes a central support portion that protrudes toward the respective panel and includes a flat area (<b>171</b><i>a</i>, <b>172</b><i>a</i>, <b>173</b><i>a</i>, and <b>174</b><i>a</i>).

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 13</figref> illustrates seat <b>100</b> with padded outer coverings. For example, the seat back assembly <b>101</b> includes a headrest <b>1301</b> covering the upper portion of frame <b>103</b>, an upper padded area <b>1302</b> covering the first and second panels <b>104</b> and <b>105</b>, and a lower padded area <b>1303</b> covering the third and fourth panels <b>106</b> and <b>107</b>. The seat bottom assembly <b>201</b> includes padded covering <b>1304</b>. As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 14</figref>, the rear side of seat <b>100</b> may include a window <b>1401</b>, where window <b>1401</b> may include a transparency and/or an opening.

As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 15 and 16</figref>, in some embodiments, the seat back assembly <b>2101</b> includes a seat panel structure <b>2103</b> that includes a first panel <b>2104</b>, a second panel <b>2105</b>, a third panel <b>2106</b>, and a fourth panel <b>2107</b> where the panels are attached to a rear spine member <b>2108</b>. Although <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 15 and 16</figref> show four panels, the seat back assembly <b>2101</b> may include any number of panels. In some embodiments, the panels <b>2104</b>-<b>2107</b> attached to the spine member <b>2108</b> by suspension members <b>2141</b>-<b>2144</b>. For example, first panel <b>2104</b> is attached to first suspension member <b>2141</b>, second panel <b>2105</b> is attached to second suspension member <b>2142</b>, third panel <b>2106</b> is attached to third suspension member <b>2143</b>, and fourth panel <b>2107</b> is attached to fourth suspension member <b>2144</b>. The suspension members <b>2141</b>-<b>2144</b> may each be a spring or may any other configuration (e.g., a box or cylinder shape) spanning between the respective panel and the spine member <b>2108</b>. For example, in some embodiments, the suspension members <b>2141</b>-<b>2144</b> may be leaf springs.

The panels (<b>2104</b>-<b>2107</b>) may be connected to one another (as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 15 and 16</figref>) or may be separate from one another. In some embodiments, the panels (<b>2104</b>-<b>2107</b>) are connected to one another by connection members <b>2121</b>, <b>2122</b>, and <b>2123</b>. The connection members <b>2121</b>-<b>2123</b> may be continuous members with similar material and cross-section as the adjacent panels or, in some embodiments, the connection members <b>2121</b>-<b>2123</b> may be configured with increased flexibility to promote independent movement of each individual panel. For example, the connection members <b>2121</b>-<b>2123</b> may each include a hinge, a portion with decreased thickness, a portion with smaller cross-sectional area, a different (e.g., more flexible) material, or any other characteristic that enhances flexibility.

In some embodiments, the seat back assembly <b>3101</b> (see <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 17, 18A, and 18B</figref>) may include a movable panel <b>3104</b> and a frame <b>3103</b>. The panel <b>3104</b> may include upper portions <b>3105</b> and <b>3106</b>, which are configured to move with and/or support the passenger l's shoulders, and a lower portion <b>3107</b>. As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 17</figref>, the panel <b>3104</b> may be attached to the frame <b>3103</b> with one or more attachment members. For example, the seat back assembly <b>3101</b> may include center left attachment <b>3131</b>, center right attachment <b>3132</b>, upper left attachment <b>3133</b> (the upper right attachment is not visible in the illustrated views but would be approximately a mirror image of upper left attachment <b>3133</b>), lower left attachment <b>3135</b>, lower right attachment <b>3136</b>, and a middle attachment <b>3137</b>. The attachments <b>3131</b>-<b>3137</b> may comprise flexible or elastic material to ensure the panel <b>3104</b> is capable of moving or pivoting with respect to the frame <b>3103</b>.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 18A and 18B</figref> show examples of different positions of the panel <b>3104</b> of the seat back assembly <b>3101</b>. For example, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 18A</figref> shows upper left portion <b>3105</b> in a first position <b>3105</b><i>a</i>, upper right portion <b>3106</b> in a first position <b>3106</b><i>a</i>, and lower portion <b>3107</b> in a first position <b>3107</b><i>a</i>. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 18B</figref> shows a second possible position for each portion of panel <b>3104</b> including upper left portion <b>3105</b> in a second position <b>3105</b><i>b</i>, upper right portion <b>3106</b> in a second position <b>3106</b><i>b</i>, and lower portion <b>3107</b> in a second position <b>3107</b><i>b</i>. One example of a position for a passenger <b>1</b> that results in panel positions shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 18A</figref> is shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11B</figref>. Two examples of positions for a passenger <b>1</b> that result in panel positions shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 18B</figref> are shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 11C and 11D</figref>.

In some embodiments, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 19 and 20</figref>, the seat back assembly <b>4101</b> may include a frame <b>4103</b>, a first panel <b>4104</b>, a second panel <b>4105</b>, a third panel <b>4106</b>, and a fourth panel <b>4107</b> where the panels are attached to a rear support system. In some embodiments, the first panel <b>4104</b> and the second panel <b>4105</b> are attached to one another (see <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 19</figref>) although there may be other embodiments where these panels are not attached to one another. In embodiments where the first panel <b>4104</b> and the second panel <b>4105</b> are attached to one another, the frame <b>4103</b> may include cantilevered members <b>4109</b> and <b>4110</b>. The frame <b>4103</b> may also include cross member <b>4111</b> (disposed between second panel <b>4105</b> and third panel <b>4106</b>) and cross member <b>4112</b> (disposed between third panel <b>4106</b> and fourth panel <b>4107</b>).

The rear support system may include a vertical member <b>4131</b> that extends across the first panel <b>4104</b> and the second panel <b>4105</b>. Horizontal members <b>4132</b> and <b>4133</b> may extend across the first panel <b>4104</b> and the second panel <b>4105</b>, respectively. The third panel <b>4106</b> and the fourth panel <b>4107</b> may include more members. For example, the rear support system adjacent to the third panel <b>4106</b> may include a left vertical member <b>4135</b>, a right vertical member <b>4136</b>, an upper horizontal member <b>4137</b>, and a lower horizontal member <b>4138</b>. The rear support system adjacent to the fourth panel <b>4107</b> may include a left outer vertical member <b>4139</b>, a right outer vertical member <b>4140</b>, a left inner vertical member <b>4141</b>, a right inner vertical member <b>4142</b>, and a horizontal member <b>4143</b>. In some embodiments, the members <b>4131</b>-<b>4143</b> may attach directly to a rear side of the respective panel (<b>4104</b>-<b>4107</b>). In some embodiments, some or all of the members <b>4131</b>-<b>4143</b> may attach to a support pad. For example, horizontal member <b>4132</b> may attach to support pads <b>4161</b> and <b>4162</b> and horizontal member <b>4133</b> may attach to support pads <b>4163</b> and <b>4164</b>. Although not illustrated, any of the members <b>4131</b>-<b>4143</b> (or none of the members <b>4131</b>-<b>4143</b>) may include support pads for attaching the panels <b>4104</b>-<b>4107</b>. The support pads may comprise flexible material.

In some embodiments, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 21A, 21B, and 22</figref>, the seat bottom assembly <b>5201</b> may include a bottom support structure <b>5280</b> and a plurality of seat surface panels <b>5203</b>-<b>5217</b>. The bottom support structure <b>5280</b> may be an “H” or “I” shape structure with a middle portion <b>5285</b>, a forward left arm <b>5281</b>, a forward right arm <b>5282</b>, a rear left arm <b>5283</b>, and a rear right arm <b>5284</b>. As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 22</figref>, each arm of the bottom support structure <b>5280</b> may include a flexible section (<b>5287</b>-<b>5290</b>) configured to allow an outer portion of the each leg to pivot with respect to the remaining portion of the leg. In some embodiments, the members <b>4131</b>-<b>4143</b> may attach directly to a rear side of the respective panel (<b>4104</b>-<b>4107</b>). In some embodiments, the bottom support structure <b>5280</b> may include one or more support pads for attaching to the seat surface panels <b>5203</b>-<b>5217</b>. For example, the middle portion <b>5285</b> may include support pad <b>5241</b>, rear left arm <b>5283</b> may include support pad <b>5243</b>, and rear right arm <b>5284</b> may include support pad <b>5244</b>. The support pads may comprise flexible material.

Although <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 21A and 21B</figref> show embodiments of the seat bottom assembly <b>5201</b> that include front, middle, and rear rows of 5 seat panels each (15 total seat panels), the seat bottom assembly <b>5201</b> may include any number of seat panels. In addition, in some or all of the spaces between adjacent seat panels, the seat bottom assembly <b>5201</b> may include flexible portion <b>5231</b>.

In some embodiments, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 23</figref>, the seat bottom assembly <b>6201</b> may include a frame <b>6203</b>, a main panel <b>6204</b>, and two forward leg panels <b>6205</b> and <b>6206</b>. In addition, the seat bottom assembly <b>6201</b> may include a center forward panel <b>6207</b> disposed between the two forward leg panels <b>6205</b> and <b>6206</b>. The panels <b>6204</b>-<b>6207</b> may be attached to the frame <b>6203</b> (and/or one another) with one or more attachment members. For example, the main panel <b>6204</b> may be attached to the frame <b>6203</b> using left attachment <b>6233</b>, right attachment <b>6234</b>, and center attachment <b>6236</b>. Further, the main panel <b>6204</b> may be attached to left forward leg panel <b>6205</b>, right forward leg panel <b>6206</b>, and center forward panel <b>6207</b> using attachments <b>6231</b>, <b>6232</b>, and <b>6235</b>, respectively.

The components of the seat <b>100</b> may be formed of materials including, but not limited to, carbon composite, plastic, thermoplastic, steel, aluminum, stainless steel, other plastic or polymer materials, other metallic materials, other composite materials, or other similar materials. Moreover, the components of the seat <b>100</b> may be attached to one another via suitable fasteners, which include, but are not limited to, screws, bolts, rivets or other mechanical or chemical fasteners.

Different arrangements of the components depicted in the drawings or described above, as well as components and steps not shown or described are possible. Similarly, some features and sub-combinations are useful and may be employed without reference to other features and sub-combinations. Embodiments of the invention have been described for illustrative and not restrictive purposes, and alternative embodiments will become apparent to readers of this patent. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above or depicted in the drawings, and various embodiments and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claims below.